Rapids Select Four in 2008 SuperDraft

June 27, 2010

BALTIMOREMD. (Friday January 18 2008) - The Colorado Rapids added four new names to the club’s roster today during the 2008 MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore including midfielder Ciaran O’Brien with the fifth overall selection.

O’Brien a Generation adidas player from the University of California-Santa Barbara was a NSCAA All-American Third Team member in 2007 after registering seven goals and 11 assists in 21 games. The most widely recruited transfer player in the nation in 2006 he came to UCSB after a very successful freshman campaign at the University of San Diego. As a member of FC United from 2002-07 he amassed 70 goals and 59 assists during his six years with the club leading them to a regional championship and a national title match in 2004.

"I am very excited about joining the Rapids and look forward to joining my new teammates in Colorado said O’Brien who totaled 13 goals and 15 assists in only 40 collegiate games. "I felt it was right time for me to enter the draft and Generation adidas offers me an excellent opportunity to not only continue my education but develop as a player professionally."

The Rapids’ next selection came in the third round when the team chose defender Adrian Chevannes with the 36th overall pick. Chevannes earned All-Conference USA First Team honors last season at Southern Methodist University. In three seasons at SMU and one year at Clemson he recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 74 games played.

The Rapids made their final two picks in the fourth round 47th and 49th overall on a pair of midfielders Brian Grazier and Scott Campbell respectively. An All-Conference USA Second Team and Conference USA All-Freshman Team member in 2003 Grazier finished his career at St. LouisUniversity with one goal and seven assists in 72 games from 2003-07. He also was a member of the U.S. U-17 National Team that participated in the U-17 World Cup in Finland in 2003. Campbell appeared in 61 games for the University of North Carolina from 2005-07 scoring 15 goals and adding 13 assists. In his first year for the Tarheels he earned Freshman All-American and ACC All-Rookie Team honors.

"We felt that with our draft picks today we added some players that will be able to contribute to our team said head coach Fernando Clavijo. "Remembering we have had the best Reserve team in the MLS over the last two seasons we had a lot of young talent that these new players with have to compete with in our locker room."

All SuperDraft selection are expected to report to Colorado later this month for preseason training. The Rapids open their season on Saturday March 29 when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 7:30 pm MT. Season tickets are available by calling the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL or online at www.coloradorapids.com.

Colorado Rapids 2008 MLS SuperDraft Selections

Ciaran O’BrienPosition: MidfielderD.O.B.: Nov. 17 1987Hometown: TacomaWashingtonHeight: 5-9Weight: 150College: University of California- Santa BarbaraAcquired: Selected by the Rapids in the first round (5th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft